Sill volunteers recognized during Volunteer Week

By Monica Wood, Fort Sill FMWRApril 18, 2013

1 / 9Show Caption +Hide Caption –Joan Peterson, 14-year Red Cross volunteer, and 18 years altogether.
"After I retired from working, I decided to volunteer at the hospital. It gives me something to do and to meet other people. It allows me to socialize and help others at the same time." (Photo Credit: Monica Wood, Fort Sill FMWR)VIEW ORIGINAL2 / 9Show Caption +Hide Caption –Jeanette Goodman, an eight-year Red Cross volunteer and 20 years volunteering altogether.
"I volunteer to give back and it makes me feel good to be able to help others. People come in the hospital and often don't know where they need to be or what they need to do first and I like being able to help them and make their day a little better." (Photo Credit: Monica Wood, Fort Sill FMWR)VIEW ORIGINAL3 / 9Show Caption +Hide Caption –Jessica and Scarlett Martin, 1st Battalion, 14th Field Artillery.
"It allows me to educate myself by getting involved with unit activities and through the Patriot Spouses' Club and Army Family Team Building." (Photo Credit: Monica Wood, Fort Sill FMWR)VIEW ORIGINAL4 / 9Show Caption +Hide Caption –Sam Ceballos, volunteer with FMWR marketing, Lawton Chamber of Commerce and Fort Sill Public Affairs Office.
"I volunteer because I'm trying to re-establish my career and build my skill set back up in public relations after about a 12-year gap in employment because I was raising my children. I've learned a lot, in the public affairs office." (Photo Credit: Monica Wood, Fort Sill FMWR)VIEW ORIGINAL5 / 9Show Caption +Hide Caption –Chaplain (Maj.) Nathan Kline, 30th Air Defense Artillery chaplain.
"I volunteer because caring for other people is its own reward. I volunteer because it allows me to involve my family in caring for other people. My wife and three children all volunteer. My wife is a perfect example of teaching our children by example." (Photo Credit: Monica Wood, Fort Sill FMWR)VIEW ORIGINAL6 / 9Show Caption +Hide Caption –Shawna Patterson, one month with the Civilian Personnel Office, three years with Protestant Women's Chapel.
"I haven't worked in six years and I enjoy doing secretarial work and meeting people, so this is helping me with my resumé and brushing up on my job skills. Volunteering with the church is my way of giving back to the community through Bible study." (Photo Credit: Monica Wood, Fort Sill FMWR)VIEW ORIGINAL7 / 9Show Caption +Hide Caption –Lisa Overbay, volunteer with ACS Financial Readiness program.
"I volunteer because I recently retired and I like helping families and Soldiers. I have been doing it for a long time. I want to pursue this work in my future so I am getting social skills. and the Army Community Service staff has been mentoring me for a long time." (Photo Credit: Monica Wood, Fort Sill FMWR)VIEW ORIGINAL8 / 9Show Caption +Hide Caption –Brandi Stringer, 1st battalion, 56th Air Defense Artillery.
"I volunteer to help others and because I am in a position to help, and I hope if I am ever in need someone will help me. You do what you can when you can. It lets me pay it forward." (Photo Credit: Monica Wood, Fort Sill FMWR)VIEW ORIGINAL9 / 9Show Caption +Hide Caption –Cecilia Ryals, 1st Battalion, 56th Air Defense Artillery.
"I volunteer because I like for our Family Readiness Group to have funds to do activities. So I help raise funds for the FRG. That's my main goal." (Photo Credit: Monica Wood, Fort Sill FMWR)VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT SILL, Okla. -- Volunteer Week is April 22-26, and this year's theme is "Volunteers - Strengthening a Nation."

Every April, volunteers are recognized and honored for their selfless service during Volunteer Week.

"With dwindling budgets and a challenging job market, volunteers make an incredible impact on the community," said Laurie Batule, Army Volunteer Corps program manager. Throughout the month, commanders have recognized family readiness group volunteers.

The April recognition activities culminate April 26 at 6 p.m. with the Helping Hands awards ceremony, a free dinner event open to all Fort Sill volunteers at the Patriot Club.

In addition to celebrating the work done by those great volunteers, the system used to track the hours, the Volunteer Management Information System, is also being recognized as an invaluable tool.

"In 2011 there were 1,789 active users who logged in 111,277 hours," said Batule. "In 2012, we continued to stress the importance of this program and our volunteers stepped up and used VMIS and it really showed in the numbers. From January to December 2012, there were 2,114 active users who logged in 120,459 volunteer hours."

Batule said retirees, active-duty Soldiers, Department of Army civilians and their families really are strengthening the nation.

"We have Soldiers and family members volunteering in every aspect of the community like the Armed Services YMCA Soldier's Closet and at the airport Welcome Center, the Red Cross, the Veterans Affairs, the Thrift Shop and at Family and MWR events like the Easter Egg Hunt, Oktoberfest and the July 4th concert."

Using VMIS is a win-win situation for everyone. Soldiers and their families who use the system have an official record of their volunteer time that moves with them from installation to installation.

With an official volunteer service record, Soldiers are able to justify a Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal and receive 10 points on the E-5 and E-6 promotion boards. College scholarships and job applications are also enhanced with an official volunteer service record. Many volunteers are hired as a result of sharing their time and talent with organizations and agencies.

"Our volunteers step up every day and improve the quality of life for our friends and neighbors in the Fort Sill and local communities," Batule said, "It's great there is a system in place to officially track the incredible number of hours served by these great volunteers."

For more information about VMIS and volunteer opportunities in the Fort Sill area, go to www.myarmyonesouce.com and click on Volunteer Tools or call Batule at 580-442-4916.